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Top Stories 2012: Fire At Briarcliff's Brandywine

BRIARCLIFF MANOR, N.Y. – Flames ripped through a 5,000-square-foot maintenance garage in October at the Brandywine Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center at 620 Sleepy Hollow Road in Briarcliff Manor.

A maintenance garage at Briarcliff Manor's Brandywine burned down in October.

A maintenance garage at Briarcliff Manor's Brandywine burned down in October.

Photo Credit: Nathan Bruttell

There were no injuries, but the building was a total loss, according to Briarcliff Manor Fire Chief Mike King. When firefighters arrived, the building was engulfed  in flames, the chief said. Roughly 75 firefighters from five area departments battled the blaze.

King said a major problem the firefighters faced was that the nearest fire hydrant was 800 yards away. There was a private fire hydrant 50 yards away from the garage, but it had been disconnected in 2010.

The New York state fire code requires that private fire hydrants be maintained by the property owners, and it also requires regular testing, maintenance and inspection.

After learning of the faulty hydrant in February 2010, Briarcliff Manor officials informed representatives of Brandywine and advised them of the state fire code, according to village records. Brandywine officials said the maintenance garage would not be repaired or rebuilt.

The building burned down after a lightning strike reportedly hit during evening storms, village fire officials said.

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